Remote Possibilities

"Wow! How did you get that shot? It looks like the horse is going to run over you!"
The short answer is "Just stick your camera in the dirt, and fire it with a remote".

Giant Oak (outside) wins the Clark H. at Churchill 10.26.2010. Manual priority, 1/1000 @ f/3.2, iso1250, 200mm

Wendy and I headed out to Stephen Foster Stakes Day at Churchill Downs last Saturday, for what promised to be a nice card and a nice day. After our schedule over the last few weeks, it sounded like fun in the sun.
And me just being me, I wanted to challenge myself to get something a little different... so I brought out the whole kit.

Dr. Ballenger wins at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/1600 @ iso500, f/4.5, +2/3ev, 200mm.

My buddy Alex Evers, a contributor here on CTL Equine, got me started on "remotes" a few years ago. Seeing some of his unique perspectives got me hooked on the possibilities of placing cameras in some unusual spots. Like under the rail at the race track. Or in the starting gate. Or in the overhead trellis at a wedding!

Having the ability to use remotes gives you the chance to get the action from multiple cameras, and therefore multiple perspectives. The photo below frames an iconic backdrop at Churchill Downs.

Dr. Ballenger wins at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/3200 @ iso800, f/4.5, +2/3ev, 50mm

The possibilities are endless. If you can stuff a camera in a spot, you should be able to get a picture from that perspective.

Dr. Ballenger at Churchill 6.18.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/3200 @ iso800, f/4.5, +1/3ev, 15mm fisheye.

Remotes are also great for CYA, (cover your ass). Wendy and I both shot this race hand held as well, she with a 500 on the outside and me with a 300 inside, and went in tight on the #13 horse. Unfortunately for our photos, Dr. Ballenger ran him down at the wire from the outside.

Have I mentioned I'm a "Home run, or Ground Out" kind of shooter? I'm always swinging for the fence. In this case, we both got really nice tight shots... of the second place horse. Ground out. The remotes saved us!

So here's the set-up. Most of the time I will use a set of Pocket Wizards. These units can be set to send or receive a radio signal from another Pocket Wizard.

Pocket Wizard "Multi-Max" in the Receiving camera's hot shoe.

A special cable is required. This one is a Canon '3-pin plug to mini-microphone', with an inline pre-release switch. You can turn the pre-release on to keep the camera "awake" so it fires instantaneously, or leave it off to allow the camera to "sleep".

The other Pocket Wizard can be mounted in another camera hot shoe, and will trigger as the other camera fires, or it can be triggered by hand.
This photo is in our back yard, with the cameras about 3 feet away from each other, but the range for Pocket Wizards is supposed to be 1600 feet. Not too sure I would count on that distance, but they are definitely reliable from the other side of the race track. 

I tend to hold the triggering PW in my left hand, because I don't always want the remote to fire every time I hit my hand held. Plus, I'm usually firing cameras that have different frame-per-second firing rates.














 Here's what the set up looked like last Saturday at the track...
The first photo was taken with the 2-camera set-up. Both are set at 200mm, one is an "innie" and one is an "outie", so I should get a nice tight frame wherever the horses run on the track. Got it with the "outie" this time since the horse ran wide. Did I mention that I missed it with my hand held?

 

 The second photo was taken with the "wide angle" remote. As always, I frame the background (in this case the grandstand), and preset a focal plane for the horses to run through. Notice in the photo info that I set this camera to fire 1 stop faster, 1/3200. The horses are running across the focal plane in the wide angle shot, rather than straight into the camera with the 200mm zoom, so the wide needs to be fast.

The third shot was taken with the fisheye. I used a Magic Arm clamped near the finish line. 

Tip: Do Not clamp to the mirror or any timing devices at the track...lol. 

This Magic Arm and Super Clamp will go about anywhere you can imagine. Like on the starting gate, or the photographer's stand. Or above the trellis at a wedding...

Or under a Steeplechase jump...

Steeplechase at Ky. Horse Park. Photo: Matt Wooley, Shutter Priority, 1/2000 @ iso500, f/4.5, +1/3ev, 16mm.

One of the keys for remotes is setting a focal plane. I pre-focus on a point at which I think the action will occur. Switch the lens off to Manual Focus, so it does not try to Auto-focus during the shot. Then fire on Burst Mode as the action occurs. In horse racing, if I'm preset on the finish line, I'll fire a burst of about 30 frames (at 10 frames per second) as they cross the wire. My goal is to get 2 or 3 frames that are sharp, enabling me to pick good foot position.

Okay, those are some of the basics. There is a LOT to learn about remotes, and a lot that can go wrong. But coming away with a really unique shot is definitely worth the effort. If you want your stuff to look different from everyone else on the sidelines with a camera, give it a try!

To get started you will need, at minimum, 2 Pocket Wizard Plus II and a Release Cable (for Canon). Total investment about $450. An upgrade to the PW's that I like, is the Pocket Wizard Multi-Max.

At big events we "hard wire" the remote cameras using lamp cable, since there is so much radio interference from cell phones and TV transmission, but the Pocket Wizards are good for 90% of the time. 

We love to hear your comments! Or if you have a question, and I will try to answer it.

Photo: Alex Evers.

Capture the Light Equine is pleased to announce our Fall Bluegrass Equine Photography Workshop!
We had such positive response from our Spring Workshop, we are doing it again November 1-3. Conveniently planned for the week before the Breeder's Cup, this class will be limited to 9 participants with 3 EquiSport instructors. We will visit some pretty cool spots in the Bluegrass for equine photography, like Old Friends, Keeneland, Kenny McPeek's training center, and Spendthrift Farm. Check out the details and drop us a line!

Go Animal!

ANIMAL KINGDOM, 20-1 winner of the Derby, came out in good order, and is now the likely favorite for the Preakness. The Leroidesanimaux colt is feeling quite at home in his new Fair Hill surroundings, and will likely ship into Pimlico the morning of the race.

Animal Kingdom wins the Derby 5.07.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f/4, iso 1600, 300mm

Animal Kingdom wins the Derby 5.07.2011. Photo: Wendy Wooley1/1250 @ f/4.5, iso 1250, 500mm

The Kentucky Oaks was won by PLUM PRETTY.

Plum Pretty wind the Ky. Oaks. Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/3200 @ f/2.8, iso 800, 50mm

Overlooked in most early Derby lists, Animal Kingdom took a less traveled path to the Derby. He had only 4 career starts and his last race was 6 weeks prior, a winning effort in the Vinery Spiral Stakes.

Animal Kingdom wins the Vinery Spiral Stakes . Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/3200 @ f/3.5, iso 1600, 15mm

Animal Kingdom spent the days before the Derby training on the polytrack at Keeneland.

Animal Kingdom at Keeneland

Next stop, The Preakness Stakes! Go Animal!

"Soldat Stamps Ticket" - Derby Top 21 for February 28th.

SOLDAT made a nice move in the Fountain of Youth, jumping from post position #1, to take the early lead into the clubhouse turn. He never looked back, stamping himself as a legitimate Derby contender.
The front running style was reminiscent of THE FACTOR, another War Front colt.

Soldat wins the Fountain of Youth. Photo: Joe Ganley/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f//4, iso 500, 200mm

Soldat, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia, won for the first time on a fast dirt track. A point that had raised a few question marks.
“Going into the race, I wasn’t concerned about that at all. He’s always trained extremely well over a fast track, but it is nice to finally get it in print that he likes it fast,” McLaughlin said the day after the race.

 So what I'm trying to figure out, from my Monday morning quarterback chair, is why do I have Soldat at #5 and The Factor at #21? Both colts, graduated from Allowance company, to won in gate to wire fashion in their first Stakes race.
The big question is the pedigree... can the War Front colts make the classic distance.
Soldat's performance was certainly the more visually impressive in winning the Fountain of Youth, setting reasonable fractions and drawing away in the stretch. The Factor, in contrast, set suicidal early splits, and just held on at the wire to a fast closing SWAY AWAY in the San Vicente.
We would hope for the question to be answered in the next starts by these two, Soldat is bound for the Florida Derby, while The Factor's next start appears to be the Sunland Derby. Hmm... will the Sunland Derby really tell us anything?

GOURMET DINNER also proved he belongs in the Derby conversation with a nice 2nd place in the FOY under Ramon Dominguez. Having won the Delta Jackpot Stakes, and accumulating enough graded earnings last year, one could only wonder if the qualifying criteria should be changed. But much to the credit of trainer Steve Standridge, the Trippi colt has shown up to gamely challenge his peers. 

TO HONOR AND SERVE seemed to get enough out of the race to continue forwardly. With already plenty of graded earnings, the son of Bernardini made good use of his first start since the Remson last November. He appeared in good form finishing 3rd in the Fountain of Youth, ridden by John Velazquez.

To Honor and Serve finished 3rd in Fountain of Youth. Photo: Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f/4, iso 640, 140mm

DERBY TRAIL TOP 21
Rank Horse (Sire)
1 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie)
2 DIALED IN (Mineshaft)
3 MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno)
4 TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini)
5 SOLDAT (War Front)
6 BRETHREN (Distorted Humor)
7 GOURMET DINNER (Trippi)
8 JAYCITO (Victory Gallop)
9 STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini)
10 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway)
11 SWAY AWAY (Afleet Alex)
12 ARCHARCHARCH (Arch)
13 ROGUE ROMANCE (Smarty Jones)
14 ASTROLOGY (AP Indy)
15 ANTHONY'S CROSS (Indian Charlie)
16 TOBY'S CORNER (Bellamy Road)
17 FLASHPOINT (Pomeroy)
18 SILVER MEDALLION (Badge of Silver)
19 WILKINSON (Lemon Drop Kid)
20 JP'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal)
21 THE FACTOR (War Front)

That's it for now... mw.

"Up & Comers" on the Derby Trail

Happy Birthday to all of the Derby contenders! Everybody turned 3 on New Year's Day!
Okay, for that matter, all thoroughbreds had a birthday on January 1st.

The Kentucky Derby is still 4 months away, and now it's time to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Already, a few runners are assured a spot in the starting gate for this May's "Run For The Roses" based on current earnings, but a few are just now making their presence known.
One promising now 3 year old, in particular, is certain to be a factor.

The Factor, Rafael Bejarano up, breaks his maiden at Santa Anita Park 12.26.2010. Alex Evers/EquiSport Photos

 A Bob Baffert trainee, "The Factor", may have made the biggest slash coming into the New Year. Running under the colors of part owner George Bolton, The Factor broke maiden at Santa Anita the day after Christmas in track record setting fashion. The son of War Front posted an eye popping 102 Beyer figure. Baffert said of the colt after the race, "He didn't even take a deep breath". 
Baffert admitted the colt's name was inspired by Bill O'Reilly's Fox News program.
Look for The Factor to move right into Stakes company to get started on the Derby Trail.

Another Up & Comer, To Honor and Serve, proved much the best in winning the Remson Stakes, November 27 at Aqueduct.

To Honor and Serve, John Velazquez up, wins the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct 11/27/10Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos

Trained by Bill Mott for Live Oak Plantation, the Bernardini colt came into this race off of a 4 length win in the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes November 6th. Said Mott after the Remson, "I thought in the Nashua it looked like he won a little easier, but this was another eighth of a mile. Being in a two-turn race might have been slightly confusing to him. As with any horse like him, we’ll nominate him for everything in case there’s a hiccup anywhere.”

One more 3 year old to make note of is Brethren. A half brother to last year's Derby winner Super Saver,  the colt won an Allowance at Churchill in convincing fashion November 27th.

Brethren, Garrett Gomez up, wins an allowance at Churchill Downs 11.27.2010 Wendy Wooley/EquiSport Photos.

A son of Distorted Humor, and owned by Winstar Farm, Brethren coasted to an easy win under Garrett Gomez for trainer Todd Pletcher. “He came out of (the race) in excellent shape. I thought that was a big effort from him from an outside post,” Pletcher said. “He veered out a little bit at the start but was able to put himself in a good position and kicked on turning for home. All in all, I though it was a pretty impressive race.”

Here is the rest of the "Derby Word" for the New Year. A lot will shuffle between now and the first Saturday in May as the Real Contenders make themselves known.

Rank Horse (Sire)
1 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie)
2 COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie)
3 TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini)
4 BOYS AT TOSCANOVA (Officer)
5 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway)
6 JB'S THUNDER (Thunder Gulch)
7 THE FACTOR (War Front)
8 ROGUE ROMANCE (Smarty Jones)
9 BRETHREN (Distorted Humor)
10 JP'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal)

And on the Distaff side, a look at the Oaks Fillies that have shown promise.

Rank Horse (Sire)
1 KATHMANBLU (Bluegrass Cat)
2 AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of Course)
3 R HEAT LIGHTNING (Trippi)
4 MORE THAN REAL (More Than Ready)
5 TURBULENT DESCENT (Congrats)
6 WICKEDLY PERFECT (Congrats)
7 DELIGHTFUL MARY (Limehouse)
8 WINTER MEMORIES (El Prado)
9 A Z WARRIOR (Bernardini)
10 FASTATION (Valid Expectations)

More later... mw

The "Derby Trail"? Really?... um, it's snowing out!

Well what else are you going to do when it's 20 degrees and snowing. It's a great time to update the Derby and Oaks list! And keep the woodstove burning!
The 2 year-olds will soon be 3 year-olds, and a few have already stamped themselves as legitimate horses. It's WAY too early for preditions, but this is a good "Watch List".

Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), John Velazquez up, wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) for trainer Todd Pletcher, and owner Repole Stables, at Churchill Downs 11.06.2010

Uncle Mo definitely stamped himself as one to watch in winning the Breeder's Cup Classic. We could only ask that his owner act as classy. One almost felt embarrassed for the normally stoic Todd Pletcher after the race as Mike Repole planted a handful of wet ones on Todd's cheek. Repole did rebound nicely by donating $30K to Thoroughbred Retirement organizations. If nothing else, the Vitamin Water gazillionaire is entertaining. Maybe Pletcher can at least temper Repole. Can you imagine if the New Yorker had hooked up with Rick Dutrow? Wow...me either!
Look for Uncle Mo to run back in The Tampa Bay Derby, on March 12, or less likely, the Gotham on March 5 at Aqueduct.

On the distaff side, I was most impressed with the way Kathmanblu dispatched the field in The Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs November 27th.

Kathmanblu (Bluegrass Cat) Julien Leparoux up, wins The Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs 11.27.2010

A Kenny McPeek trainee, Kathmanblu was never threatened, coasting across the line for an easy 8 1/2 length win. In a rare show of jubilation, Julien Leparoux knew he was Ky. Oaks bound with this talented filly. Look for her at Gulfstream in late February or early March.

Okay, those are my 2 favs to watch at this point.
In addition, I liked how "To Honor and Serve" won the Remson, and I like "Santiva", winner of the Ky. Jockey Club.
Of the other talented fillies, "Awesome Feather" beat a class field in the Breeder's Cup and the undefeated "Turbulent Descent" looked great yesterday in the Hollywood Starlet.

COLTS:
1 UNCLE MO
2 TO HONOR AND SERVE
3 BOYS AT TOSCANOVA
4 SANTIVA
5 ROGUE ROMANCE
6 BRETHREN
7 JB'S THUNDER
8 STAY THIRSTY
9 COMMA TO THE TOP
10 GOURMET DINNER
11 JP'S GUSTO

FILLIES:
1 KATHMANBLU
2 AWESOME FEATHER
3 R HEAT LIGHTNING
4 MORE THAN REAL
5 TURBULENT DESCENT
6 WICKEDLY PERFECT
7 DELIGHTFUL MARY
8 WINTER MEMORIES
9 A Z WARRIOR

More later.. mw

Next 3 Weeks...The Real Deals vs. The Also Rans

The next 3 weeks will sort out the Real Deals from the Also Rans.
This week my picks (in order); the Rebel (Old Fashioned), Louisiana Derby (Friesan Fire, Patena, Papa Clem, Flying Pegasus), Tampa Bay Derby (General Quarters, Hello Broadway) and San Felipe (Pioneerof the Nile, Chocolate Candy).
Next week my picks (in order); Lane's End Cup (West Side Bernie)
Two weeks my picks (in order); the Florida Derby (Quality Road, Dunkirk, Beethoven, Theregoesjojo), UAE Derby (Desert Party, Vineyard Haven)
No guarantees expressed or implied.

"The Word" - Derby 2009 Contenders March 10, 2009 www.equisportphotos.com
Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 3/14 OP Rebel S.
2 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
3 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
4 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
5 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
6 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
7 IMPERIAL COUNCIL Empire Maker Shug McGaughey Sequoia Racing Rajiv Maragh 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
8 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
9 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
10 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel 3/28 GP Florida Derby
11 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy James Lopez 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
12 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
13 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Kent Desormeaux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
14 FLYING PEGASUS Fusaichi Pegasus Ralph Nicks James Spence Cornelio Velasquez 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
15 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo La. Derby or Rebel
16 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
17 HELLO BROADWAY Broken Vow Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando Edgar Prado 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
18 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux
19 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
20 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
21 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo 3/21 Lne's End or 3/28 Fl Dby
22 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano injured

A "Sinner" amongst us...Top 25 Derby Contenders & Connections!

Photo: EquiSport Photos/Z. Laskowski

Okay, it's a new month, and a new "Word".
Saratoga Sinner debuts at #10, and what is a "Pamplemouse" anyway?
Stardom Bound makes the list at #7, you can believe IEAH will run her.
Beethoven drops a bunch, after an atypical Calvin Bo-rail trip in the Holy Bull...He'll be back.
Shafted and Poltergeist make the list.

This list is meant for recreational purposes only..."Handicapping from "The Word" may be at your own peril"...

Cheers, MW

Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 2/16 OP Southwest S.
2 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano 2/16 OP Southwest S.
3 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
4 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
5 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
6 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 2/7 FG Risen Star
7 STARDOM BOUND Tapit Rick Dutrow IEAH Mike Smith 2/7 SA in Las Virgenes
8 NOTONTHESAMEPAGE Catienus Wesley Ward Ken & Sarah Ramsey Elvis Trujillo 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
9 HAYNESFIELD Speightstown Steve Asmussen Harvey Weinstein Ramon Dominguez 2/7 AQ Whirlaway
10 SARATOGA SINNER Harlen's Holiday Eddie Kenneally Lally Stable Julien Leparoux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
11 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 2/28 SA Sham S.
12 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo 2/7 FG Risen Star
13 HELLO BROADWAY Broken Vow Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando Edgar Prado 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
14 BIG DRAMA Montbrook David Fawkes Harold Queen Eibar Coa scr from Holy Bull
15 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo in Dubai
16 MIDSHIPMAN Unbridled's Song Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Garrett Gomez in Dubai
17 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado in Dubai
18 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 2/14 GG El Camino Real
19 DONATIVUM (GB) Cadeaux Genereux John Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan Frankie Dettori in England
20 BEAR'S ROCKET Lion Heart Reade Baker Bear Stables Kent Desormeaux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
21 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo
22 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel
23 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Robby Albarado 2/7 FG Risen Star
24 SHAFTED Mineshaft Mark Casse Woodford Racing Patrick Husbands 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
25 POLTERGEIST Tapit Donnie Von Hamel Kindred Thoroughbreds Clifton Berry

Square Eddie, Old Fashioned...Showdown in the Dirt!

Square Eddie, photo EquiSport Photos/JB Faulconer

Old Fashioned, photo EquiSport Photos/Dianne Boothe

From the Daily Racing Form - ARCADIA, Calif. - Square Eddie, second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in October and the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday, will make his first start on a conventional dirt track in the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 16.
Full article here - http://www.drf.com/news/article/101190.html

Should be a great preview for the rest of the trail. Maybe the beginning of a long term rivalry between Square Eddie and Old Fashioned?
Cheers, MW

A Pamplemousse?..#10 this week in "The Word", Top 25 Derby Horses w/connectio

The Pamplemousse makes a debut at #10 this week after a nice win in the San Rafael.
Square Eddie not the best horse? Does he need dirt?
Chocolate Candy wins the Cal Derby. Against who?
Patena continues to train well after a 2nd in the Lecomte.
Taqarub wins 3rd in a row with 8+ win in minor Stakes.
Stardom Bound in the Derby? Count on it with IEAH.

"The Word" - Derby 2009 Contenders 1.20.2009
Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 Old Fashioned Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 2/16 OP Southwest S.
2 Beethoven Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
3 PioneeroftheNile Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 2/7 SA Robt. Lewis
4 Square Eddie Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano
5 Big Drama Montbrook David Fawkes Harold Queen Eibar Coa 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
6 Stardom Bound Tapit Rick Dutrow IEAH Mike Smith 2/7 SA in Las Virgenes
7 Midshipman Unbridled's Song Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Garrett Gomez in Dubai
8 Vineyard Haven Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado in Dubai
9 Notonthesamepage Catienus Wesley Ward Ken & Sarah Ramsey Elvis Trujillo 2/28 GP Fountain of Youth
10 The Pamplemousse Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis at Santa Anita
11 Friesan Fire AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 2/7 FG Risen Star
12 Haynesfield Speightstown Steve Asmussen Harvey Weinstein Ramon Dominguez
13 I Want Revenge Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo in Dubai
14 Chocolate Candy Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 2/14 SA El Camino Real
15 Donativum (GB) Cadeaux Genereux John H. M. Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan Frankie Dettori
16 Patena Seeking the Gold Josie John Sikura, D. Dilalla Robby Albarado
17 Giant Oak Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo at Fairgrounds
18 Capt. Candyman Can Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux at Palm Meadows
19 Coronet of a Baron Pure Prize Eoin Harty Darley Alan Garcia
20 Break Water Edison Lemon Drop Kid John Kimmel Eli Gindi Alan Garcia at Payson Park
21 West Side Bernie Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo 1/31 GP Holy Bull S.
22 Well Positioned Awesome Again Pat Reynolds Paul Pompa Javier Castellano at Gulfstream Park
23 Charitable Man Lemon Drop Kid Kiaran McLaughlin W. K. Warren Jr Alan Garcia at Palm Meadows, recovering
24 Taqarub Aldebaran Kiaran McLaughlin Shadwell Alan Garcia
25 Munnings Speightstown Todd Pletcher Tabor, Magnier, Smith John Velazquez

On the "Also Ran" List
Cribnote
Flat Out
Danger to Society
Brother Keith
Stimulus Plan
Free Country
Theregoesjojo

Cheers, MW

Ky. Derby Trail...Square Eddie tops "The Word" 1.11.2008

Photo: EquiSport Photos

The Word...Kentucky Derby Trail 1.11.2008
Friesan Fire jumped into the mix with a nice win in the Lecomte. Nice to see Larry Jones with a couple of strong contenders.
Just a quick summary of my prognostications and observations for the week. Feel free to add your 2 cents!
1 Square Eddie
2 Old Fashioned
3 Beethoven
4 Midshipman
5 Vineyard Haven
6 Big Drama
7 PioneeroftheNile
8 Haynesfield
9 Notonthesamepage
10 Friesan Fire
11 I Want Revenge
12 Donativum (GB)
13 Giant Oak
14 Capt. Candyman Can
15 Coronet of a Baron
16 Break Water Edison
17 Chocolate Candy
18 West Side Bernie
19 Well Positioned
20 Charitable Man

Ky. Oaks Trail 1.11.2008
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress
8 Just Jenda

Kentucky Derby Trail '09 - Beethoven

Beethoven (Sky Mesa), Calvin Borel up, wins the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs 11.29.2008mw (Horse Racing Photos by EquiSport Photos)

Kentucky Derby Trail '09 - "The Word"

Okay, so it's 3 degrees out this morning, and I'm pretty sure the poly-track is frozen. But I'm not going to go check.
Another New Year is upon us, and of course, as we keep the fireplace fed, we ponder the first Saturday in May. Everybody is having a birthday in a few days, so here is my first look at the group of new 3 year olds. In order.

Kentucky Derby '09
1 Midshipman
2 Vineyard Haven
3 Old Fashioned
4 Square Eddie
5 Beethoven
6 Donativum (GB)
7 PioneeroftheNile
8 Big Drama
9 Giant Oak
10 I Want Revenge
11 Capt. Candyman Can
12 West Side Bernie
13 Chocolate Candy
14 Bittel Road
15 Azul Leon

Kentucky Oaks '09
1 Stardom Bound
2 Maram
3 Laragh
4 Four Gifts
5 Rachel Alexandra
6 C.S. Silk
7 Dream Empress